Egyptian Bazaar
A bit of history…
The Egyptian Bazaar, a.k.a The Spice Bazaar and Mısır Çarşısıin Turkish is one of the oldest bazaars in the city – second only to the Grand Bazaar or Kapalıçarşı. Due to the fact that many spices were imported from Egypt during the Ottoman period, the name Mısır Çarşısı was favored by the public. On occasion, the name has been incorrectly translated as “Corn Bazaar” as the word mısır in Turkish means both Egypt and corn. The Egyptian Bazaar was and still is the center for Istanbul’s rich spice trade.
Designed by Koca Kasım Ağa, the chief Ottoman court architect, it was later completed by architect Mustafa in 1660. The building itself is part of the complex of the New Mosque (Yeni Cami), with the rents collected from the shops originally intended to help pay for the upkeep of the Mosque.







